Licking County becomes the ‘bull’s-eye’ for development after Intel’s bold move
NEW ALBANY — It was the announcement that forever changed Licking County.
One year after Intel Corporation revealed its plans to build a $20 billion computer chip manufacturing facility in western Licking County, a massive earthmoving operation has replaced homes and farms in Jersey Township, preparing for the 2025 startup of semiconductor production.
With that development has come escalating property values and an exodus of residents used to rural life in western Licking County.
The township is becoming a giant business park annexed into New Albany, led by the Intel development now called Ohio One on 1,000 acres one mile south of Johnstown. It will be the largest single private sector company investment in Ohio’s history.
In addition to Intel, Jersey Township is home to the New Albany Personal Care and Beauty Campus and Google and Facebook data centers. And there is recent reporting that Amazon plans a possible technology complex of more than 30 buildings on 400 acres in the northwest corner of the township.
Licking County Commissioner Tim Bubb said Grow Licking County had 82 serious inquiries for development in 2022.
“We’re still in the bull’seye for development,” Bubb said. “It hasn’t cooled off. Intel has not scared everyone off. It’s an exciting time. Intel is a wonderful thing. A year later, a lot has happened, but a lot remains to happen.”
Jim Evers, Intel vice president and Ohio general manager, wrote in a recent column, “The work we have done so far is not only changing the future for Ohioans, but also changing the future for the entire U.S. domestic semiconductor manufacturing industry.”
Evers said construction on the two factories will take three to five years and thousands of workers to complete. The first year has focused on site preparation, including leveling land, digging utility trenches and signing Bechtel as the general contractor. He said Intel has already worked with more than 100 Ohio suppliers.
So far, 2.5 million cubic yards of earth, aggregate, lime and other materials have been moved at Intel’s first greenfield site project in 40 years. That’s enough to fill Ohio Stadium nine times, according to Intel.
“When we decided to build new fabs in Ohio, we knew we would be in it for the long haul,” Evers said. “Major construction projects like this take time, but, more importantly, they take partnerships, and Intel could not have asked for better partners in this endeavor than Ohioans and local suppliers.”
Evers, who moved to Ohio from Arizona last fall, stressed the economic benefits from the Intel development.
“I know from my years at Intel in Arizona that the arrival of major manufacturing facilities brings a wealth of associated benefits and opportunities,” Evers said. “Imagine what all those students who stay in Ohio for work will be able to do: the families they can raise, the businesses they can start, and all the ways they can give back to the community. This will be a boon for the local economy, enabling people to thrive right here in the Silicon Heartland.”
Bubb said the county continues to seek funding to prepare for the development, as state cash has primarily gone to New Albany, Intel and the Ohio Department of Transportation for roads in Franklin County.
“Any substantial money has not come to Licking County for this project,” Bubb said.
Jersey Township population dropping
It’s ironic the epicenter of growth in Licking County has lost the most population. Since development crossed the county line in about 2000, Jersey Township has lost 29% of its population. From 2010 to 2020, the Columbus metropolitan area grew by 16.5%. Jersey Township’s trend certainly accelerated last year.
Jersey Township Trustee Ben Pieper estimates the township lost 1,200 to 1,500 residents in the Intel preparation process, as homes were purchased and demolished to open space for the semiconductor facility, and others outside of the Intel site decided to leave. The township had a population of 2,557 in 2020.
New Albany annexed almost 3,000 acres in the township in 2022, after annexing slightly more than 3,000 acres from 2002 to 2021. Jersey Township Trustee Dan Wetzel estimates 85% of the township west of Mink Street has been annexed into New Albany. So far, Mink Street has been the dividing line, but New Albany affiliate MBJ Holdings has purchased land east of Mink.
“It’s a big change,” Pieper said. “We’re no longer a rural community. You either have to go with the change or move. It’s not what we grew up with or what we knew. It’s not what we want. Nothing we can do about it.
“The taxes are forcing people to sell. We’ve got an older community and the taxes are going to do them in.”
Land is only becoming more valuable in the area. Intel completed its purchase of 750 acres from the New Albany Company in July for $111 million. In January, Amazon spent $117 million on 392 acres in the township — albeit for land closer to larger roadways. A property owner nearby has listed their nearly 6-acre plot for almost $10 million.
Wetzel said people have moved east to the St. Louisville area, north of Newark and Heath. Some are moving out of state because they’re retired. Pieper said they’re moving all over the state to more rural areas, including north into Knox County.
Bubb said one Jersey Township resident who sold knocked on doors in the Johnstown area looking for a seller. He found one in Monroe Township and the Monroe Township resident moved to Franklin County.
The township plans to limit annexations east of Mink Street and maintain the township’s rural identity there.
“If we have good strategic planning, we can limit that quite a bit,” Wetzel said. “Annexations are for commercial use for water and sewer, so if the township can get water and sewer, I think we’ll be fine and keep annexations to a minimum. If we’re able to do what we have planned, we can save the rest of the township.”
Battleground for growth? Utilities
A Licking County Commissioners agreement with Southwest Licking Water and Sewer District allows the district to serve the unincorporated areas of Jersey Township, as well as Monroe Township south of Johnstown and parts of St. Albans Township.
Jersey Township Administrator Rob Platte said community outreach meetings in the fall showed residents are tired of township land getting annexed.
“That’s why there’s such a proactive effort here to try to get these planning things in place, and have the land still stay in the township and generate revenue for the future of the township for the residents that do choose to stay,” Platte said. “That’s just been a big undertaking, and we’re continuing to do that.”
The county-swl agreement angered officials in Monroe and St. Albans Townships and in Johnstown. They said they did not want SWL controlling their future.
Licking County Commissioner Duane Flowers said the townships can still control their own destiny.
“The ORC will allow you to do what you want,” Flowers said. “Some townships understood that. If you guys want to control your township, there is a way to do it. Johnstown may be willing to serve it.”
Monroe Township Trustee Troy Hendren said nothing has yet happened in Monroe Township.
“Southwest Licking has kind of backed off a little bit, but they really want it,” Hendren said. “Southwest Licking really wants Monroe Township, but Johnstown needs that and deserves the first right of refusal. We didn’t invite them to come into our township. We’re trying to control growth.”
Johnstown Mayor Donald Barnard said Johnstown hopes to provide utilities south of the city in Monroe Township. He said Columbus may not want to serve into Monroe Township because of its capacity. He said some township residents may annex into Johnstown.
“It’s easy to chase the almighty dollar, but we want to grow in a very controlled manner,” Barnard said. “We want to grow it right. There’s been a lot of pushback since that (county-swl) agreement. With water, first come first serve. We’re positioning ourselves for the future. We’re getting water ready.
“My concern with Southwest Licking water is they have lines up to (Ohio) 161 with no water. If they can’t supply water to their area, why are they coming up further.”